Railway truck



5 Sheets-Sheet l m. @www Junlxe l0, 1930. c. J. w. cLAsEN RAILWAY TRUCK Original Filed April 13, 1925 c. J. w. cLAsEN June 10, 1930.

RAILWAY TRUCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 13, 1925 June 10, 1930 c..J. w. cLAsEN 1,763,222

RAILWAY TRUCK Original Filed April 15, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June il), 1930 UNlE STATES PATET @1L-AUS J'. W. CLASEN, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO TEE ESETTENR? L'PANY, F BETTENDORF, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF IOWA RAILWAY TRUCK lApplication led April 13, 1925,Seria1 No. 22,594. Renewed April :26, 193i?.

This invention relates to improvements in railway trucks.

The complexity of the problem of railway ltruck construction resulting from constantly increasing burdens which the trucks are called upon to bear, has demonstrated the inadequacy of the springs in use at the present time. It is desired to overcome this inadequacy of spring capacity without 4changing the present standardized spring coils, increasing the wheel base or height o the truck, encroaching on the clearance above the track, and Without affecting the present type of braking parts.

The general purpose of my invention is to provide a truck including side frames of the usual type, having adequate strength and affording space for additional spring coils Without increasing the size of the truck or adding materially to its weight.

In truck frames ofthe ordinary type, in which the compression member, the tension member and the truck-guide columns are integrally cast, it is almost universal practice to provide -bols'ter guide columns offset at their lower portions so as to admit the bolster end with its retaining lugs, the bolster then being elevated to a position between the upper portions of the guideA columns so that the retaining lugs engage the outer and inner faces of such columns to prevent endwise` withdrawal of the bolster, the springs being then inserted beneath the bolster. In this construction it is apparent that the number of springs which may be placed beneath the bolster is limited bythe width thereof, and consequently the entire space afforded by the spring rest between the lower portion of the guide columns can not be utilized for additional spring units.

An object of my invention is to provide integral metal ytruck side frames of this character with sufiicient distance between guide columns to afford space for additional spring units, and accommodate a bolster of a width to correspond to the increased extent of the spring cluster, the bolster above mentioned being .insertable endwise between the guide columns and removable means utilized for retaining the bolster in operative relation i with the side frames.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel method of reinforcement in the lower portion of the side frame between guide columns, said method of reinforcement being arranged in such a manner as to form a pocket or recess for the spring cluster and prevent the spring coils from becoming dislodged or lost.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a novel spring plate for use in conjunction with a truck of this character, in combination with a particular type of spring plank, which is arranged to be secured in the usual manner to tie the side frames of the truck together, such plank being held in position by the action of spring plates, which in turn are held by the pressure exerted by the assembly of springs supported thereon.

lOther and furtherA objects and advantages of my invention will more clearly and fully appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a truck side frame embodying my invention. Figure 2 is a top plan view of my invention, partially in elevation, and partially in section, substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side elevation similar to Figure l, of a truck side frame, showing a slightly dilierent embodiment of the invention, Figure 4 is a top plan view partially in section similar to Figure 2, of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the invention on the line 5-5 of Figf ure 3. Figure 6 is a transverse, vertical, sec-- tional view of the invention on the line 6-6 of Figure l, and Figure 7- is a transverse, vertical, sectional View of the invention similar to Figure 6, showing a slightly modied form of thespring plank arrangement used in conjunction with the side frame.

Referring first to the construction illustrated in Figures 1', 2 and 6, inclusive, there is shown a side frame of a truck, and in this connection I have 'deem-ed it necessary to illustrate the parts on one side of the truck veo tachable if desired. -The invention broadly includes guide columns A-A which connect the compression member 10 and the tension member 11; a bolster B; reinforcing means C, a spring rest D and a spring cluster E.

The guide columns A-A, as shown, are formed integrally with the compression and tension members 10 and 11, the inner guide surfacescl of such columns being spaced apart substantially equidistantly at all p0rtions thereof. lDisposed between the upper portions of the 1de columns A-A is the end of the bolster B, such bolster being of a hollow construction and of a width, whereby the side portions thereof slidably engage the guide faces 15 of the columns, such-bolster bein insertible endwise between the upper portions of the columns' while the spring cluster E is in position upon the spring rest.

D. The bolster B is provided with lugs 16 adapted to abut against the inner faces of the guide columns A--A. The bolster is detachably held in operative enga ement with the side frames by means of a ey 17, such key being disposed in a suitable ke way 18 provided in the end of the bolster The key is held in position in the key-Way 18 by means of bolts 19, or other suitable means, such bolts preferably having their heads disposed within depressions provided in the inner face of the key, with the Shanks of the bolts extending through the key and through a web 21 formed upon the end ofthe bolster B, and rovided with suitable nuts. The top wall ofp the bolster, and the web 21, are provided with suitable cut-out portions 22 to permit the insertion, and disengage ment of the bolts 19.

By this arrangement it is apparent that a much wider bolster may be inserted between the guide columns while the spring cluster E is in position upon the spring rest D, the key 17 being then bolted in posltion, and in conjunction with the lugs 16 integrally formed upon the bolster, restrict longitudinal movement thereof with respect to the side frame, at the same time permitting vertical movement of the bolster with the 'spring cluster E. This obviates the necessity for widening the bolster opening at the lower portion to admit a bolster end having the usual integral retaining lugs formed thereon toengage the inner vand outer faces of the guide columns. -The construction provides an integral side frame having means for accommodating a spring cluster or assembly containing the `maximum number of spring `units disposable in the area available therefor, in conjunction with a bolster receivable in said frame and being of a width to correspond to the extent of said spring cluster.

Reinforcing means C are provided for strengthening the tension member 11 and the side frame, without altering the shape of the same, and at the same time providing a fiat spring rest for the spring cluster E. Said means are preferably in the form of connecting members C which comprise vertically disposed walls on either side of the spring rest D and formed integrally therewith, and with the bottom portions oi' the columns A-A, the ends of the members C being also formed integrally with the portions 23 of the tension member 11 beyond the end of the spring restD, there being strengthening ribs 24 which extend considerably beyond the points 25 and are formed integrally with the portions 26 of the connecting walls or tie members C. In addition the connecting walls C provide a pocket for the spring assembly E, preventing lossofl the spring units should any become disconnected from the cluster.

In connection with la truck of the type above described, I preferably provide a spring plank arrangement of a character particularly adapted for utilization therewith. In the preferred construction, the side frame is provided with an inwardly extending flange 27, formedintegrally with the spring rest D, said flange being provided with a plurality of spaced bosses or abutments 28 formed thereon, such bosses being adapted for engagement with the outer end of a spring plank 0r cross member 29. The spring plank 29 is provided with apertures 30 in its outer end for the reception of the bosses 28, the walls of said apertures defining abutments for engagement with said bosses. Said spring plank is preferably provided with vertically disposed flanges 31 at its opposite sides for strengthening the same, which -iianges may be terminated short ofthe end .33 in turn rest upon the end of the spring plank 29, preventing disengagement of the apertures 30 of the spring plank from the bosses 28, but if desired such plank may be quickly disconnected upon elevation of the bolster B, and the sprin assembly D, thus facilitating the disassem ling of the truck.

A slightly different embodiment of spring plank and side frame is illustrated in Figure lOO llO

' lar, except for the spring plank arran ement, and such parts will be referred to y the same reference characters heretofore used as designating similar parts. In this embodiment of the spring plank arrangement, the spring rest l) is provided with an extension 37 having a groove 38 therein forming an abutment for the detachable reception of a downwardly turned flanged portion or abutment 39 upon the spring plank 40. r"he spring plate 41 is of the same type as the spring plate 33, being provided with vlugs or fingers 42 extending outwardly through apertures 43 in the connecting walls C on the inner side ofthe side frame, such lugs being arranged to bear upon the end of the spring plank 40 to retain the portion 39 of such plank in the groove 38, when the truck is in operation, the turned portion 39 of the 'spring plank being readily disengageable from the groove 38 when the lugs 42 of the spring plate 41 are removed from engagement therewith, thus facilitating the disassembling of the truck.

Another embodiment of the side frame construction is illustrated in Figures l3 to 5 of the drawings.

In this construction the side frame, although of the same wheel base as the frame heretofore referred to, has a narrower bolster opening, the guide columns F-F connecting the tension member 50 and compression member 51, being spaced equidistantly with respect to each other throughout the extent of the bolster opening, the distance between the guide columns being less than between the guide coloumns A-A of the frame hereinbefore referred to. At the bottoms of the guide columns F-F is the spring rest G and by reason of the fact that the columns are spaced apart a less distance, the spring rest (Jr is of less longitudinal extent than that described in connection with Figures 1, 2 and 6, and is arranged to accommodate a less number of spring units in the spring cluster H.

' By reason of the decreased longitudinal extent of the spring rest G, the spring rest would be of no greater length than the ordinary construction using offset columns, thereby making it unnecessary to incorporate the reinforcing walls C. y

Due tothe fact that the spring cluster is increased in extent, it will be appreciated .that a wider bolster corresponding in width to the increased extent of the spring cluster must be utilized. A bolster I is provided which is of a width to fit between the upper portions of the guide columns F-F, the bolster being provided with lugs 52 adapted to engage the inner surfaces of the guide columns F--F, and the outer end ofsuch bolster is provided with a key-way 53 for the reception of a key 54, all other parts of the key arrangementbeing similar to that disclosed in connection with Figures 1, 2 and 6.

In this construction it will be appreciated that additional spring units are provided, inl conjunction with a widened bolster corresponding in width to the vincreased extent of the spring cluster, and this is made possible by means of the endwise insertable bolster with the removable key, and due to the fact that the guide columns are spaced equidistantly apart throughout the extent of the bolster opening.

In the construction just described, there is no necessity for a sprin plank arrangement of the character hereto ore referred to, since a spring plank 55 of an ordinary type may be utilized, such spring plank being provided with the usual boss or abutment 56 adapted to engage an opening 57 Aformed in the spring an abutment adapted forro-operation with the abutment 56, the ends of the spring cluster' I-I bearing upon thespring plank 55 to hold the same in position.

An important feature of the invention in each of these constructions resides in providing a side frame having bolster guide columns cast integrally therewith, and arranged so that the bolster may be inserted into the bolster opening after the spring assembly is in place, thus doing away with the necessity for providing a wider openin for the insertion of the bolster before t e springs'are placed in position, which necessitates the use of a narrowerv bolster and a consequently smaller area upon which the springs may bear, resulting in the use of a smaller number of spring units. By my invention a wider bolster may be utilized which will properly bear upon an increased number of spring units.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the method of vreinforcing that portion of the side frames beneath the springs and tying this reinforcement to the lower ends of the guide columns and preserving the minimum depth of the side frames.

It should also be appreciated that the tie members not only serve to connect and bracey ready Vconnection and disconnection of the,

spring plank and providing means for securely fastening the same while in use. v

While I have herein shown and described what 'I now consider the preferred manner of carrving out my invention, the same is merely illustrative, and I contemplate all changes and modiications that come vwithin the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is:

1. In a railway truck, the combination With a side frame including a compression member, a tension member, guide columns and a spring rest; of a spring assembly comprising a plurality of spring units occupying the entire available space on said spring rest; a bolster operatively mounted between said columns and of a width corresponding to the extent of said spring assembly; reinforcing means connecting said guide columns; a spring plate member bearing said spring assembly; a spring plank member; and means on one of said members engaging means on the other' of said members for maintaining said spring plank in operative position.

2. In a railway truck, the combination with a side frame including guide columns and a spring rest; means connecting said guide columns and said spring rest, said means being provided with openings at certain locations; a spring lank member and a spring plate member adapted to support a spring assembly, one of said members having means extending through the openings in said connecting means and co-acting with the other 3o member to retain said plank member in position.

3. In. a railway truck, the combination with compression and tension members; guide columns; means connectin said guide columns and said tension mem r; a spring rest and spring assembly thereon; an extension on said spring rest vprovided with a pluralit of upstanding spaced bosses; a spring plan having apertures adapted to receive said bosses; anda s ring plate arranged to support the springs, aving extensions thereon adapted to bear upon said spring plank.

4. Iii a railway truck, the combination with compression and tension members; guide columns; means connecting said guide columns andsaid tension member; a springI rest; an extension on said spring rest provided with a plurality of upstanding spaced bosses; a spring planklhaving apertures adapted to receive said bosses; a spring plate engaging said spring rest and arranged to supporta spring assembly, and having extensions thereon adapted to bear upon said spring plank; a bolster endwise insertible 35 between said guide columns; and removable means for retaining said bolster in operative relation withsaid side frame.

5. In a railway truck of increased spring capacity, the combination with a side frame 00`including a compression member, a tension member, guide columns and a spring rest, said guide columns having their guiding surfaces disposed in parallel 'relationfthroughout their extent and spaced apart a relatively great distance in proportion to the dimensionsof the side frame, said spring rest being adapted to accommodate a spring assemly including a plurality of spring units arranged transversely of said side frame, said spring units being arranged in close formation and presenting a bearing area substan t'ially co-extensive with the extent of said spring rest and the spring units forming the longitudinal 4extremities of said spring assembly being arranged in close proximity to the guide faces of the guide columns and vertically movable in such positions as permitted by thevparallel disposition of said guide faces, said spring rest beingprovided with walls extending upwardly therefrom at the outer sides of said spring assembly, said walls being integrally formed with said spring rest and integrally connected with said columns to reinforce the spring rest, tension member and said guide columns, said columns, compression member and tension member being all integrally formed; a bolster insertable endwise between the upper end portions of the guide columns, said bolster being of a width co-extensive with said sprin assembly, and bearing vertically upon t e units composing said assembly, the width of said bolster being such as to provide a snug sliding lit bet-Ween said column guides and direct engagement of the side faces of said bolster with the guide faces oflsaid guide columns,

said bolster having lugs thereon adapted to engage the inner surfaces of said guide columns; and detachable means associated with said bolster and spaced outwardly from said lugs slightly more than the transverse width of said guide columns, said means being adapted to engage the outer faces of said guide columns to confine the bolster end for ertical movement with respect to the side rame.

6. In a railway truck, the combination with an integral side frame including a compression member, a tension member, journal boxes, guide columns and a spring rest, said guide columns having their guiding surfaces spaced apart arelatively great distance in proportion to the dimensions of the side frame and havin" guide faces disposed in parallel relation throughout the extent of said guide columns, said spring rest being adapted to accommodate a spring assembly including a plurality of spring units arranged in line transversely of said side frame, said spring units being arranged to present a bearing area substantially co-extensive with the extent of said spring rest, said spring rest being provided with walls extending upwardly therefrom at the outer sides of said spring assembly, said walls being integrally formed with said spring rest and integrally connected with said co umns and said tension inember, said journal boxes, guide columns, compression member and tension member being all integrally formed, said walls reinforcing said spring rest, said guide columns and said tension member to compensate for the greater load which may be imposed .upon the truck by reason of increased spring capacity afforded in proportion to the size of the frame; a bolster insertable endwise between the upper end portions of the guide columns, said bolster being of a width co-extensive with said spring assembly and vertically bearing upon the units composing said assembly, the width of said bolster being such as to provide a snug sliding t between said column guides and direct engagement of the side faces of the bolster with the guide faces of said columns, said bolster having lugs thereon adapted to engage the inner surfaces of said guide columns; and detachable means extending through the end of said bolster and spaced outwardly from said lugs slightly more than the transverse width of said guide columns, said means being adapted to engage the outer faces of said guide columns and cooperating with said lugs to conne the bolster end for vertical movement with respect to the side frame.

7. In a truck, the combination with two side frames, each having compression and tension members and guide columns disposed in a common plane and an integral spring rest; of rigid reinforcing means connecting the bottom portions of said columns and'said spring rest; a bolsterinsertable endwise between the upper portions of said guide colf umns, each end of thebolster being rovided with means limiting the movement o the bolster outwardly with respect to the corresponding side frame; means detachably associated with each end lof the bolster and cooperable with the outer faces of the guide columns of the corresponding side frame to limit the inward movement of .the bolster with respect to each side frame; spring means interposed between each side frame and the corresponding end of the bolster; and a cross member for connecting said side frames adjacent the lower ends of said guide columns, the opposite ends of said cross member and portions of the side frames wherein the spring rests are formed being provided with inter-engaging abutments detachable by movement'in acertain direction, said abutments being maintained against movement to detach the same by pressure exerted thereon by the spring means in each side frame.

8. ln a truck, the combintion with a side frame including guide columns spaced at relatively great distance proportionate to the dimensions of said side frame to provide a rest of increased extent of resilient means disposed upon said rest and being of an extent to occupy the entire space available on said rest; a bolster associated with said side frame and having means corresponding in extent to said resilient means and arranged to bear thereon, said bolster being insertable end wise with respect to said guide columns, de

portion of said side frame detachable by movement in one direction; and means for normally maintaining the abutments of the cross member and frame against accidental detachment. l v Y 9. In a truck, the combination with a side frame having a bolster opening, the side frame being provided at the bottom of said bolster opening `with reinforcing means connecting lthe lower ends of guide columns delining said bolster opening; a cross member, said cross member and said side frame being provided with means including interengaglng -abutments detachable by movement in a certain direction, said means extending across the plane defined by said rein-v forcing means; and means for preventing detachment of said abutments. V

10. In a truck, the combination with a side frame having a bolster opening, the side frame being provided at the bottom of said bolster opening with reinforcing means connecting the lower ends of guide columns delining said bolster opening; spring means as' sociated with said side frame; and a cross member having means associated therewith extending through said reinforcing means and providing an interlocking detachable connection of said cross member with said side frame, said means being maintained in operative position by pressure exerted thereon by said spring means.

11. lln a railway truck, the combination with a side frame including a compression member and a tension member; guide columns for said frame arranged to provide a spring rest therebetween of increased extent proportionate to the side frame; a spring assembly containing the maximum number of spring units of any given size which can be disposed on said spring rest, said spring rest being flat throughout its extent, and adapted to accommodate said spring units in a com-v mon horizontal plane; a bolster cooperating with said side frame and having a at undersurface co-extensive with the area of the spring assembly and adapted to bear against the same, said bolster being insertable endwise between said guide columns and the side walls of said bolster being directly engageable with the guide faces of the said gulde columns; means associated with said bolster for engagement with said guide columns to confine the bolster end to vertical movement, said means being detachable without destructive eect to permit withdrawal of the bolster end longitudinally from said side vframe; and reinforcing means integrally the lower portions of said guide columns and said tension member.

12. In a railway truck, the combination with a side frame, including guide columns and a spring rest, said guide columns being spaced a relatively great extent proportionate to said side frame; means connecting said guide columns and said spring rest, said means being provided with openings at certain locations; a sprin spring plate member a apted to support a spring cluster; and means associated with said spring plank and spring plate members extending through the openings in said connecting means and cooperating to hold said spring lank member in position, and a bolster wi en ed to correspond to the increased extent of said spring cluster and operatively connected with said 'guide columns.

13. In a truck, the combination with two side frames, each having guide columns and a spring rest, said guide columns in each side frame being spaced at a relatively great distance in proportion to the dimensions of the side frame; of a spring cluster disposed upon said spring rest and being substantially co-extensive therewith; a bolster insertible endwise between said guide columns, each end of said bolster being provided with a widened portion adapted to engage saidv guide columns and bear upon the spring cluster in each frame, the widened portions of said bolster being confined to the point of bearing upon said spring clusters; means carried by said bolster for confining movement of the bolster ends to a vertical direction, certain of said means being removable without destructive effect to permit detachment of said bolster from 'said side frames; and a cross member below said bolster for connecting said side frames, the ends of said cross member and said frames being provided with interlocking means providing a connection permitting detachment of said cross member from said frames without destructive effect.

14. In a truck, the combination with two side frames, each having guide columns and a spring rest, said guide columns in each side frame being spaced at a relatively great distance in proportion to the dimensions of the side frame; of a spring vcluster disposed upon said spring rest and being substantially coextensive therewith; a bolster insertible endwise between said guide columns, each end of said bolster being provided with a widened portion adapted to engage said guide columns and bear upon the spring cluster in plank member; a

Aends of said cross member and said frames being provided with interlocking means providing a connection permitting detachment of the said cross member from said frames without destructive effect; and reinforcing means rigidly connecting the lower portions of said guide columns and spring rest of each frame to compensate for the additional extent of said spring rest.

Y15. In a railway car truck, a bolster, side frames each having an upper compression chord, a lower tension chord and s aced columns connecting said chords an 'forming between them an opening to receive an end of said bolster, each tension chord having a flat horizontal. portion extending from the base of one column to the base of the other and widened inwardly ofthe columns and reinforcing webs on opposite sides of the horizontal portion integral with the columns and horizontal portion, said webs converging from the widened portion to the columns, a group of bolster supporting springs on said horizontal portion, and a spring plank extending across the space between said side frames, rest-ing at its ends on said horizontal portions and held in interlocking relation by said springs.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 7th day of April, 1925.

CLAUS J. W. CLASEN. 

